Methods and compositions for treating bacterial infections employing imines

ABSTRACT

Imines of 2-formylquinoxaline-3-carboxylic acid-1,4-dioxides and their salts are obtained through treatment of the lactone or a salt of 2-dihydroxymethylquinoxaline-N,N-dioxide-3-carboxylic acid with a reactant bearing a free primary amino group. The resultant compounds and their non-toxic salts are antibacterial agents and can be incorporated in pharmaceutical compositions and feedstuffs for this use. A typical embodiment is 2(carbomethoxyhydrazonomethyl)-quinoxaline-3-carboxylic acid-1,4dioxide.

[4 Dec. 24, 1974 METHODS AND COMPOSTTIONS FOR TREATTNG BACTERIAL INFECTIONS EMPLOYING IMINES [76] Inventors: l lorin Seng; Kurt Ley; Karl Georg Metzger, all of Farbenfabriken Bayer AG, Leverkusen, Germany [22] Filed: Jan. 15, 11973 [21] Appl. No.: 323,953

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 130,007, March 31, 1971.

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Apr. 2, 1970 Germany 2015676 [52] US. Cl 424/246, 424/248, 424/250 [51] lnt. Cl A61k 27/00 [58] Field of Search 424/250, 248, 246

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,371,090 2/1968 Johnston 260/240 G FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,215,815 12/1970 Great Britain 260/250 R Primary Examinerlerome D. Goldberg [57] ABSTRACT lmines of 2-formylquinoxaline-3-carboxylic acid-1,4- dioxides and their salts are obtained through treatment of the lactone or a salt of 2 dihydroxymethylquinoxaline-N,N-dioxide-3-carboxylic acid with a reactant bearing a free primary amino group. The resultant compounds and their non-toxic salts are antibacterial agents and can be incorporated in pharmaceutical compositions and feedstuffs for this use. A typical embodiment is 2- (carbomethoxyhydrazonomethyl)-quinoxa1ine-3- carboxylic acid-1,4-dioxide.

38 Claims, N0 Drawings METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR TREATING BACTERIAL llNFECTllONS EMPLOYING IMINES This is a division of application Ser. No. 130,007 filed Mar.31, 1971.

The present invention relates to new imines of 2- formyl-quinoxaline-3-carboxylic acid-1,4-dioxides and their salts, to processes for their preparation, to the use of the new compounds as medicaments in human medicine and veterinary medicine, to their use as feedstuff additives, especially in raising young animals or fatstock, and to compositions adapted to this use.

The new imines and salts have the general formula:

i CODY l CH=NR wherein Y is hydrogen, an alkali metal cation or the cation R"NH and each of R and R is identical to or different from the other and is selected from the group consisting of a. alkyl, substituted alkyl or cycloalkyl; b.

in which each of R and R when taken independently is identical to or different from the other, and is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl or substituted alkyl, or when R and R are taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached a 5- to 7-membered heterocyclic ring optionally containing as a ring member oxygen, sulphur, S0 or N-alkyl;

in which X is O, S or NH and, R and R are as above defined;

in which R is alkyl or substituted alkyl;

in which R is phenyl, pyridyl or norbornyl, and X is as defined above;

in which R, R and X are defined above; or

Y has the meanings given above; each of R and R is identical to or different from the other and is selected from the group consisting of a. alkyl or hydroxyalkyl of from one to four carbon atoms or a o-membered or 7-membered monocy- 010- or bi-cycloalkyl group; b.

in which each of R and R when taken independently is identical to or different from the other and is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl or hydroxyalkyl of from one to four carbon atoms, or when R and R are taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, a o-membered heterocyclic ring optionally containing as a ring member oxygen or NHfi-N\ in which X is O, S or NH, and R and R are as herein defined;

in which R is alkyl or hydroxyalkyl of from one to four carbon atoms; and

NH --R in which R is phenyl, pyridyl or norbornyl, and X is as herein defined.

Aliphatic groups embraced by R and R include straight chain or branched alkyl groups of from one to six, preferably one to four, carbon atoms. Cycloaliphatic radicals contain from three to seven, preferably five to seven, carbon atoms and include both monocyclic and bicyclic ring systems.

These aliphatic or cycloaliphatic groups can be optionally substituted, for example, by hydroxy, alkoxy, or acyloxy, the alkoxy and acyloxy groups containing one to four, preferably one or two, carbon atoms. The hydroxy group is the preferred substituent. Typical aliphatic and cycloaliphatic groups thus include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert.-butyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, hexyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, bicyclo-(2,2,l )-heptyl (norbornyl), and the like.

The substituents R' and R are hydrogen or alkyl of from one to four, preferably one or two, carbon atoms. These alkyl groups can be optionally substituted with hydroxy, alkoxy or acyloxy, alkoxy and acyloxy groups containing one to four, preferably one to two, carbon atoms. Thus included are ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, nbutyl, isobutyl and tert.-butyl, as well as the corresponding groups substituted by hydroxy.

R and R when taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, can also form a heterocyclic ring, preferably containing six ring members, and preferably with an oxygen atom, a sulphur atom, an N-alkyl group containing one to four, preferably one or two, carbon atoms, or the S0 group, as a ring member in the p-position relative to the nitrogen atom to which R and R are attached.

R is an alkyl of from one to four, preferably one or two, carbon atoms which may also be optionally substituted by hydroxy, alkoxy, acyloxy, alkoxy and acyloxy containing one to four, preferably one or two, carbon atoms. The hydroxy group is a particularly preferred substituent. R thus embraces such groups as methyl, ethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl and the like.

The alkali metal cation Y is, for example, that of sodium or potassium, preferably that of sodium.

R is phenyl, pyridyl or norborn-Z-yl. When R is pyridyl, it can be bonded in the 2-, 3- or 4-position relative to the pyridyl nitrogen atom.

The above class of imines are obtained according to the process of the present invention by treatment of loxo-3-hydroxy-l,3-dihydro-furo-(3,4-b)-quinoxaline- 4,9-dioxide, which has the formula:

or a salt thereof of the formula M OO with an amine ofthe general formula H NR, in which R is as previously defined, M is an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal cation and is l or 2.

The salts ofthe formula can be obtained from the lactone of formula through treatment with alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hydrogen carbonates.

M is preferably the cation of sodium, potassium or most preferably calcium.

Both inorganic and organic polar solvents can he used as diluents for the reaction according to the invention, such as for example water, lowcr aliphatic alcohols of one to four carbon atoms, lower aliphatic ni triles such as acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuranc, dioxanc. dimethoxyethane, pyridine, dimethyllorimunide and the like.

The reaction according to the invention is carried out at a temperature of about 0 C to about C. preferably 20 C to about 35 C.

In practice, the lactone or lactone salts are dissolved or suspended in the diluent, and this solution or suspension is then treated with an appropriate quantity of the amine. The formation of the imine or of the imine salt takes place in a weakly exothermic reaction and the final product is then isolated through conventional methods.

The imine salts l can also be prepared by the reaction of the free acids with amines.

The salts may be obtained in a subsequent step by conventional techniques or directly in the reaction of the lactone with the amine. lfabout 2 mols ofthe amine per mol oflactone are employed, the product will be in the form of that amine salt. if an alkali metal salt or alkaline earth metal salt of the lactone is employed. or if it is desired to obtain the free acid from the lactone. only about 1 mol of the amine per mol of the lactone or salt is required.

The course of the process according to the invention can thus be illustrated by the following equations:

OONa H l H The following examples will serve to further typify the nature of this invention without being a limitation on the scope thereof.

EXAMPLE 1 is H H in the form of yellow crystals, which after recrystallisation from isopropanol melt at 12325 C, with decomposition.

kept at 25 C by cooling. After 1 hour, the solution is evaporated in vacuo and 32 g of the compound of the formula H n OONa 3 .r a -ca ca: ca

N COONa 1 I 1 CH: (g -CH are obtained in the form of yellow crystals which after recrystallisation from acetonitrile/water melt at 228C, with decomposition.

Analysis: C H N NaO (molecular weight 311) Calculated: C 54.0% H 4.5% N 13.5% Na 7.4% Found: C 53.7% H 4.9% N 13.591 Na 6.9?

The 1-oxo-3-hydroxy- 1 .3-dihydro-furo( 3.4-b quinoxaline-4,9-dioxide of the formula (1) required as the starting compound can he obtained as follows:

30.7 g (0.1 mol) of 2-bismethoxy-methyl-3-dimethylaminocarbonyl-quinoxaline-1.4-diN-oxide are introduced into 100 ml of 10 percent strength aqueous hydrochloric acid. A clear solution results, and after a short time the compound according to the invention separates out in the form of a yellow precipitate. which is filtered off after 6 hours. 17 g (72.6 percent of theory) of l-oxo-3-hydroxy-l,3-dihydro-furo-(3,4-b)- quinoxaline-4,9 -dioxide are thus obtained in the form of yellow crystals.

The compound is purified by dissolving it in sodium bicarbonate solution. filtering and acidifying the filtrate. The purified compound melts at 156 159 C, whilst foaming.

Analysis: C H N O (235) Calculated: C 51.3% H 2.6% N 12.0% Found: C 52.0% H 2.1M N 12.6";

The alkali metal salts or alkaline earth metal salts of l-oxo-3-hydroxy-l .3-dihydro-furo-( 3,4-b)quinoxaline- 4,9-dioxide can be manufactured as follows:

The lactone (9 is suspended in water and approximately the stoichiometrically required amount of the alkali metal hydrogen carbonate or alkaline earth metal hydrogen carbonate is added at room temperature. The salt of the lactone (10) thus produced, precipitates,

be isolated in the usual manner.

The following are obtained analogously to Examples after evaporation of the solution if necessary, and can I and 2:

Example Melting Point (C) No Cgpound (decompos ition) 3 l d- +4 E9 00 6 H NCH 3 3 l l-l*'-=NC1-i (9 0O H NC H CB=NC H 6 OOH NC H CH==N 6 G3 GB 9 3 13 8-40 coon NCCH 3 1 3 CH CB=N -CH 7 128-30 6 COOH 11 12 Example C0minued Melting Point (C) No. Compound (decomposition) OONa OONa

COONa Example Cmmued Melting Point (C) Compound (decomposition) OONa H=NN

OONa N CH:-NN l 6 45 C1I NNHCO0C H N OOH H=N-NHCOOCH CH OH As has already been mentioned, the new compounds I I Cmllmmd U (H of the invention surprisingly show an excellent chemo- 531 1; m ill therapeutic activity. Their chemotherapeutic action utra g r 11 g do. l ij gcfifgg o fgagzi? i q lrzt zg r l i zig ggi saggsgl cl 5. l O X l() germs were inoculated per plate Readings a l were taken after 24 and 48 hours. and the incubation fections, and in vitro. In both cases the compounds temperature about 0 C show a very good antibacterial action, and the range of 50 action encompasses both Gram-negative and Gram- Table l positive bacteria. The chemotherapeutic activity of the MIC in Wm] M medium compounds according t0 the invention permits the Compound of Compound 01 Compound of use i human i i and i veterinary medicine. Bacterium Example l0 Example l2 Example l3 Furthermore, the compounds can be employed as feedlivrhcrifmu stuff additives, especially in raising young animals or 1- /1 A got 20 fatstock. The good in vitro and in vivo activity of the Z-I' I" i0 compounds according to the invention can be seen lrult'm'tlllgul'ix i from Tables l, 2 and 3 below. armies I50 10 6O P.\'Ll!lltl"l0llll.\' The minimum inhibitory concentrations in vitro for WWI-"05. some of the new compounds shown in Table l (MlC) Bonn I00 too were determined by the plate test in an agar medium of fz f li lx the following composition: Walter 100 K/(lu'itlltl proteosc peptone [0.0 g per litre pm'nmoniu 63 I01) veal extract (solids) HM) g do. Klumxit'llu dextrose 2 I) g do. pln-unmniu 8085 It) sodium chloride 3.1) g do. Slap/ rimwu'u.\ disodium phosphate 2.0 g do. HIII'I'HA [33 lo sodium acetate 1.0 g do. SIrcplm-m-t-madenine sulphate (UH g do. i -gram W Int) guanine hydrochloride (llll g do.

Table 2 Minimum inhibitory concentration (MlC) in y/ml of medium, measured by the series dilution test (complete medium), incubation temperature: 37 C, determinaabout 200 mg per kilogram, preferably about 25 to about 50 mg per kilogram of body weight per day, to.

achieve effective results. Nevertheless it can at times be necessary to deviate from the amounts mentioned, in

tion of the MIC after 18, 24 and 48 hours 5 particular depending on the body weight of the test animal or patient or on the nature of the method of administration, but also because of the type of animal and its compound of individual behaviour towards the medicament. or be- Bacterium Example l3 cause of the nature of the formulation ofthe latter, and Streptococcusfilet'ulisATCC 9700 50 the point in time or interval at which administration 22% '28 takes place. Thus it can, in some cases, suffice to use do, 3695; i less than the abovementioned minimum amount, whilst 2??? '28 in other cases the upper limit mentioned must be ex- O. ATCC Bv Hv m0 ceeded. In the case of the administration ot larger do. Blaschke 6-25 amounts it can be advisable to divide these into several 7 3g: gg 3 individual doses over the course of the day. The same do. liquef. 50 range of dosages is envisaged for administration in do. durans 25 Emmi/H. m C '65 50mm human medicine. The other comments made above do, 2 15 50 also apply in a general sense. 38- a B 5 n Accordingly, the present invention provides a phar- A 261 i 5 maceutical composition containing as an active ingre- P P- -5 dient at least one of the new compounds of the general ig? 'g 2935 5 formula (1) given above in admixture with a pharmado vulgaris 3400 5 ceutically acceptable solid or liquid diluent or carrier l I7 as hereinafter defined. PSt'UdtIMUIHIX uemgmruu W 400 u do. M 25 In the present specification the expression pharma- 3 25 ceutic ll c ble diluent or c' rri r" te'ins non- Klebsiellu ATCC l003l 1-2 a y Cepta e n do, K 1Q 50 toxic substance that when mixed with the active ingre- S I 63 I" BE H dient or ingredients renders it suitable for administraa mom a paraiyp HI 4 t '1 gram 540 tion. The expression preferably excludes water and Slap/t)lm'tlt'tllS UHILIIA' I33 I low-molecular weight organic solvents commonly used 7 g8- QZ l; in chemical synthesis, except in the presence of other Neisseriu talhiu'ulis N 1/4] 6 pharmaceutically necessary ingredients such as salts in )I' s p i 6 correct quantities to render the composition isotonic, M \'('U[I[u.\'!fl(| gulli.i'epucimi*) 6 t m grlmulumma) 3 35 buffers, surfactants, colouring and flavouring agents, Mit'l tlt'lt m u e cu s H 37 RV and preservatives. Examples of suitable liquid diluents measured in a PPLO medium and carriers are vegetable oils, glycerol, propylene glycol, polyols, buffered aqueous solutions, isotonic saline For the compound of Example 3, the following miniaqueous solutions, syrups and lotion bases. Examples of l i hibit Concentrations (MIC) ('y f nutrient 40 suitable solid diluents and carriers are starches, cellumedium) were measur d b th series dil i test lose and its derivatives, sugars, stearates and stearic (PPLO di i b i temperature 37 C, d acid, talc, and ointment bases. Examples of pharmai i after 18, 24 d 43 hours, ceutical compositions according to the invention are ointments, pastes, creams, sprays, lotions, aqueous and 45 non-aqueous suspensions, emulsions, and solutions (in MIC cluding parenterally injectable solutions), elixirs and Myt'upluxma gallid'epliclrm m0 syrups, and granulates and powders either free-flowing sm'wlflfllm 35 or compressed into tablets. do. bovirliinis 200 h armaceutical compositions of the invention adapted for oral administration are a preferred embodi- In animal experiments on mice, the effective 100 perment of the invention. The diluents and carriers used cent dose (ED in mg/Kg was determined for certain are preferably therefore those that adapt the active incompounds of the invention after intraperitoneal infecgredient or ingredients for oral administration. Examtion and subcutaneous (s.c.) or oral (p.0.) administraples of such diluents and carriers are solid vehicles, extion of the preparation. cipients and lubricants such as glucose, lactose and su- Table 3 Compound of Compound of Compound of Compound of Example 3 Example 8 Example [3 Example 14 Bacterium s.c. p.c. s.c. p.c. s.c. p.c. s.ci p.c,

Escherichia 50 100 50 100 25 25 50 I00 (u/i C l Slupli \'lnc0c- 25 50 ('llii LHIR'IH' In general, it has proved advantageous, in acute general infections, to administer amounts of about 5 mg to crose, corn and potato starch. sodium carboxymethylcellulose, ethyl cellulose and cellulose acetate. powdered gum tragacanth, gelatin, alginic acid, agar. talc. stearic acid and sodium, calcium and magnesium stearates, sodium lauryl sulphate, polyvinyl-pyrrolidone, sodium citrate, calcium carbonate, and dicalcium phos' phate.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may also contain other non-toxic adjuvants and modifiers such as dyes, surfactants, perfumes, flavouring agents, such as sweeteners, preservatives and biocides.

Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention adapted for parenteral injection are another preferred embodiment of the invention. The diluents and carriers used are therefore preferably those that adapt the active ingredient for parenteral administration. Examples of diluents and carriers that adapt the active ingredient for parenteral administration are solvents and suspending diluents such as water, vegetable fatty oils, such as sesame oil, groundnut oil, corn oil, and cottonseed oil, aqueous propylene glycol, N,N'-di-methylformamide, and dimethyl sulphoxide. in general, any non-aqueous diluent can be used that does not reduce the activity of the active ingredient and is non-toxic in the dose employed.

For the administration of the water-soluble compounds of the invention by parenteral injection sterile aqueous solutions can be employed, and are within the scope of the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention. Such aqueous solutions should preferably when necessary be buffered in the usual manner, and the liquid diluent should preferably before administration be rendered isotonic by adding the requisite amount of salt or glucose. Such sterile buffered isotonic solutions are especially suitable for intravenous, intramuscular and intraperitoneal injections. These pharmaceutical compositions of the invention can further contain local anaesthetics or substances that promote the diffusion of the active ingredient, for example hyaluronidase.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention preferably contain 0.5 to 90 wt. percent of at least one new compound of the invention.

The present invention also provides medicaments in dosage unit form as hereinafter defined comprising as an active ingredient at least one compound of general formula (I) given above either along or in admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable solid or liquid diluent or carrier. In this case the diluent or carrier is preferably as defined above but can also be water or another common solvent.

The expression medicament in dosage unit form as used in the present specification means a medicament in the form of discrete portions each containing a unit dose or a multiple or sub-multiple of a unit dose of the active ingredients(s); for example, one, two, three or four unit doses or a half, a third or a quarter of a unit does. A unit dose" is the amount of the active ingredient(s) to be administered on one occasion and will usually be a daily dose, or for example a half, a third, or a quarter of a daily dose depending on whether the medicament is to be administered once or, for example, twice, three times, or four times a day.

The discrete portions constituting the medicament in dosage unit form can include a protective envelope. The active ingredient can be undiluted and contained in such an envelope, or can be mixed with a pharmaceutically acceptable solid or liquid diluent or carrier as defined above. Such portions can for example be in monolithic coherent form, such as tablets, lozenges,

pastilles, pills, suppositories, or dragees; in wrapped or concealed form, the active ingredients being within a protective envelope, such as wrapped powders, cachets, sachets, capsules, or ampoules; or in the form of a sterile solution suitable for parenteral injection. such as ampoules of buffered, isotonic, sterile, pyrogen-free aqueous solution; or in any other form known in the art.

As stated above, peroral administration is a preferred mode of administration. Preferred medicaments in dosage unit form according to the invention are therefore those adapted for oral administration, such as tablets, pills, dragees, capsules, and cachets, as well as wrapped powders containing the active ingredient in powdered form with a powdered diluent or carrier for suspension in water before being taken.

As also stated above a further preferred mode of administration is parenteral administration. Preferred medicaments in dosage unit form according to the invention are therefore those adapted for parenteral injection, such as ampoules containing a measured quantity of a sterile isotonic saline injectable aqueous solution of the new active ingredient, which may be buffered with a pharmaceutically acceptable buffer and are preferably free of pyrogens.

The preferred unit dose for administration of the medicaments of the invention is 250 l6,000 mg. of ac tive ingredient, preferably 1,250 4,000 mg. This will usually be administered once daily.

The invention further provides a method of combatting bacterial infection in an animal which comprises administering to the animal (preferably parenterally or perorally) an effective amount of one of the new compounds, either alone. as a pharmaceutical composition according to the invention, or as a medicament in dosage unit form according to the invention.

lndications envisaged in human medicine are especially general infections, and infections of the efferent urinary tract, caused by Gram-positive and Gramnegative bacteria and by mycoplasma, and in veterinary medicine are general infections caused by Gramnegative and Gram-positive bacteria and my mycoplasma. Infections of the respiratory passages in poultry, especially in chicks, and mastitis of cows, may be mentioned particularly.

The new compounds can, as has already been mentioned, also be employed as a feedstuff additive, predominantly in raising young animals, especially chicks and fatstock.

The preparations can be administered in the feedstuff, special feedstuff preparations and feedstuff concentrates, but also via the drinking water.

The invention therefore also provides animal feedstuffs and feedstuff concentrates containing at least one of the new compounds of general formula l The administration of the new compounds together with the feedstuff or feedstuff preparations and/or with the drinking water makes it possible to prevent or treat infections by both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and mycoplasma, and can furthermore contribute to better utilization of the feedstuff. As examples of frequently occurring veterinary illnesses which cause considerable economic damage and which can be prevented or treated by administering the new compounds in the feedstuff or in the drinking water. there may be mentioned, in addition to general infections,

infection of the air sac in chicks, and mastitis in cows.

What is claimed is: ll. An antibacterial composition which comprises an antibacterially effective amount of a compound of the formula COOY in which each of R and R when taken independently is identical to or different from the other, and is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl of one to four carbon atoms and hydroxyalkyl of one to four carbon atoms, or R and R together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a 6-membered heterocyclic ring wherein the nitrogen atom is the only heteroatom or wherein oxygen or S is also present a ring member in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic inert diluent or carrier.

2. An antibacterial composition according to claim 1 wherein R and R are Pt l in which each of R and R when taken independently is hydrogen or alkyl of one to four carbon atoms or R and R together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a morpholino or S,S-dioxothiomorpholino ring. 3. An antibacterial composition according to claim ll wherein R, R and R" are alkyl or hydroxyalkyl of one 'or two carbon atoms.

22 7. An antibacterial composition according to claim 1 in oral administration form.

8. An antibacterial composition according to claim 1 in subcutaneous administration form.

9. An antibacterial composition according to claim 1 wherein the compound is 10. An antibacterial composition according to claim 1 wherein the compound is 11. An antibacterial composition according to claim 1 wherein the compound is 000 Hil s 12. An antibacterial composition according to claim 1 wherein the compound is QI Laa 13. An antibacterial composition according to claim 1 wherein the compound is l CWC O 14. A composition according to claim 1 wherein R and R are hydrogen. alkyl of one to four carbon atoms or hydroxyalkyl of l to 4 carbon atoms.

15. A composition according to claim 1 wherein R R and R together with the nitrogen atom to which and R are hydrogen. they are attached form a morpholino or S,S-dioxo- 16. A composition according to claim 1 wherein R thiomorpholino ring. and R are alkyl of one to four carbon atoms. 21. A method according to claim 19 wherein R, R

17. A composition according to claim 1 wherein R 5 and R are alkyl or hydroxyalkyl of one or two carbon and R are hydroxyalkyl of one to four carbon atoms. atoms.

18. A composition according to claim 1 wherein Y is 22. A method according to claim 19 wherein when R hydrogen, the sodium cation, the potassium cation or and R form a -membered heterocyclic ring with the the cation R -NH nitrogen atom to which they are attached and said ring wherein has oxygen or 50 present as a ring member, said oxy- R is gen or said 50 is in the p-position relative to the nitrol gen atom to which R and R are attached. 23. A method according to claim 19 wherein Y is hydrogen. N 2 24. A method according to claim 19 wherein Y is a R sodium or potassium cation.

25. A method according to claim 19 wherein the administration is oral.

26. A method according to claim 19 wherein the administration is by subcutaneous injection.

27. A method according to claim 19 wherein the antibacterially effective amount is from 5 mg/kg to 200 mg/kg per day.

28. A method according to claim 27 wherein the antibacterially effective amount is from 25 mg/kg to 50 mg/kg per day.

29. A method according to claim 19 wherein the compound is wherein R and R are hydrogen, or R and R together with the nitrogen atom to which 20 they are attached, form a o-membered heterocyclic ring wherein the nitrogen atom is the only heteroatom or wherein oxygen or S0 is also present as a ring member.

19. A method of treating bacterial infections in humans and animals which comprises administering to said human or animal an antibacterially effective amount of a compound of the formula COOY 'l 69 1i 09H u--u1i 3 2 r CH-:=N -R I l cn=uua O or a pharmaceutieally acceptable non-toxic salt thereof wherein 30. A method according to claim 19 wherein the Y is hydrogen, an alkali metal cation or the cation compound is R-"NH and each of R and R is R R I COON l CH 2 ca m-K R Q in which 6 each of R and R when taken independently is iden- I tical to or different from the other, and is selected A method accordmg Clam] Where!" the from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl of one Compound to four carbon atoms and hydroxyalkyl of one to T G R and R together with the nitrogen atom to which [100 H 3 they are attached form a 6-membered heterocyclic ring wherein the nitrogen atom is the only heteroa ring member. 4

four carbon atoms, or

atom or wherein oxygen or S0 is also present as Q 20. A method according to claim 19 wherein R and R are n n 3 4 .4; l -NHCXN NH COOR and -NHC}G1 \R in which each of R and R when taken independently is hy- 32. A method according to claim [9 wherein the drogen or alkyl of one to four carbon atoms or compound is 36. A method according to claim 19 wherein R and R are alkyl of one to four carbon atoms.

\ COON 37. A method according to claim 19 wherein R and R are hydroxyalkyl of one to four carbon atoms. 38. A method according to claim 19 wherein Y is hyh c1;=;:-.N-- drogen, the sodium cation, the potassium cation or the I cation R NH wherein 33. A method according to claim 19 wherein the R is compound is R --N \i I \fcaa ...v\ A CF wherein T 2 R and R are hydrogen, or 5 R and R together with the nitrogen atom to which i I they are attached, form a 6-membered heterocyclic 341. A method according to claim 19 wherein R and g wherein h mmgen atom the y hetero- R are hydrogen, alkyl of one to four carbon atoms or m Wherem yg of 2 also Present as hydroxyalkyl of one to four carbon atoms. 11 member- 35. A method according to claim 19 wherein R and R are hydrogen. 

1. AN ANTIBACTERIAL COMPOSITION WHICH COMPRISES AN ANTIBACETIALLY EFFECTIVE AMOUNT OF A COMPOUND OF THE FORMULA
 2. An antibacterial composition according to claim 1 wherein R and R5 are
 3. An antibacterial composition according to claim 1 wherein R1, R2 and R5 are alkyl or hydroxyalkyl of one or two carbon atoms.
 4. An antibacterial composition according to claim 1 wherein when R1 and R2 form a 6-membered heterocyclic ring with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached and said ring has oxygen or SO2 present as a ring member, said oxygen or said SO2 is in the p-position relative to the nitrogen atom to which R1 and R2 are attached.
 5. An antibacterial composition according to claim 1 wherein Y is hydrogen.
 6. An antibacterial composition according to claim 1 wherein Y is a sodium or potassium cation.
 7. An antibacterial composition according to claim 1 in oral administration form.
 8. An antibacterial composition according to claim 1 in subcutaneous administration form.
 9. An antibacterial composition according to claim 1 wherein the compound is
 10. An antibacterial composition according to claim 1 wherein the compound is
 11. An antibacterial composition according to claim 1 wherein the compound is
 12. An antibacterial composition according to claim 1 wherein the compound is
 13. An antibacterial composition according to claim 1 wherein the compound is
 14. A composition according to claim 1 wherein R1 and R2 are hydrogen, alkyl of one to four carbon atoms or hydroxyalkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
 15. A composition according to claim 1 wherein R1 and R2 are hydrogen.
 16. A composition according to claim 1 wherein R1 and R2 are alkyl of one to four carbon atoms.
 17. A composition according to claim 1 wherein R1 and R2 are hydroxyalkyl of one to four carbon atoms.
 18. A composition according to claim 1 wherein Y is hydrogen, the sodium cation, the potassium cation or the cation R5-NH3 wherein R5 is
 19. A method of treating bacterial infections in humans and animals which comprises administering to said human or animal an antibacterially effective amount of a compound of the formula
 20. A method according to claim 19 wherein R and R5 are
 21. A method according to claim 19 wherein R1, R2 and R5 are alkyl or hydroxyalkyl of one or two carbon atoms.
 22. A method according to claim 19 wherein when R1 and R2 form a 6-membered heterocyclic ring with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached and said ring has oxygen or SO2 present as a ring member, said oxygen or said SO2 is in the p-position relative to the nitrogen atom to which R1 and R2 are attached.
 23. A method according to claim 19 wherein Y is hydrogen.
 24. A method according to claim 19 wherein Y is a sodium or potassium cation.
 25. A method according to claim 19 wherein the administration is oral.
 26. A method according to claim 19 wherein the administration is by subcutaneous injection.
 27. A method according to claim 19 wherein the antibacterially effective amount is from 5 mg/kg to 200 mg/kg per day.
 28. A method according to claim 27 wherein the antibacterially effective amount is from 25 mg/kg to 50 mg/kg per day.
 29. A method according to claim 19 wherein the compound is
 30. A method according to claim 19 wherein the compound is
 31. A method according to claim 19 wherein the compound is
 32. A method according to claim 19 wherein the compound is
 33. A method according to claim 19 wherein the compound is
 34. A method according to claim 19 wherein R1 and R2 are hydrogen, alkyl of one to four carbon atoms or hydroxyalkyl of one to four carbon atoms.
 35. A method according to claim 19 wherein R1 and R2 are hydrogen.
 36. A method according to claim 19 wherein R1 and R2 are alkyl of one to four carbon atoms.
 37. A method according to claim 19 wherein R1 and R2 are hydroxyalkyl of one to four carbon atoms.
 38. A method according to claim 19 wherein Y is hydrogen, the sodium cation, the potassium cation or the cation R5-NH3 wherein R5 is 